The Flann food empire continues to rise.
Canmore chef Blake Flann, along with his father and business partner Norm Flann, received the green light last week to move forward with renovating a former automotive repair shop into their latest endeavour – a new eating establishment.
The elder Flann was in front of the Canmore Planning Commission last Wednesday night (Feb. 17) for approval to take the former home of Midway Automotive on Bow Valley Trail, renovate it and add an addition at the back.
He told the commission that after recently acquiring the property, they hope to transform it into an exciting new culinary destination in the Canadian Rockies, much like they did with a fully drivable 1962 Leyland Titan PD3 double decker bus.
“We launched our business last year with a unique perspective,” said Flann, referring to PD3 by Blake and a retail gourmet food store Provisions by Blake. “We feel that we have added a sense of excitement and vibrancy to the Town of Canmore and the downtown.
“We certainly recognize the derelict condition of the site being an old gas station at one point and mechanic shop … (if approved) it is going to be remodelled into an open and equally exciting new culinary destination in the heart of the Rockies.”
The development permit application approval was contingent upon the commission approving seven variances that were largely the result of the fact Flann wants to use the current building instead of demolishing it and building a new one.
Planning intern Nathan Grivell went through the variances for the commission, noting the existing older building being non-conforming and does not meet “any of today’s development standards.
“The previous use as an automobile service station is no longer a permitted use in the Bow Valley Trail district and overall it would be fair to say the site is in need of a facelift,” he said.
“Administration supports the requested variances generally on the basis the property’s development will improve the existing site and building and some of the variances are not a surprise in that we are dealing with an older building.”
The variances requested included the requirement to build to the front property line, a roof pitch of 6:12, to have a distinct base, landscaping and glazing requirements.
The glazing variance was addressed by Flann, as the design of the restaurant includes two large bay windows that would roll up into the ceiling to create an opening onto a patio.
The planning commission, in its approval, made three amendments to require the applicant to submit additional details regarding vehicle access to the site along William Street, additional detailing on the front and rear elevation, and plans for a minimum 10 per cent landscaping, which could include surface planters on the currently paved site.
